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Crew striker Jairo Arrieta and Costa Rica completed group play in the 2013 Copa Centroamericana Tuesday night with a 1-1 draw against Guatemala. Arrieta tallied his second goal of the tournament in the 12th minute to help La Sele finish at the top of Group A.

The Ticos will resume play in the semifinal of the tournament against El Salvador on Friday. Costa Rica previously claimed a spot in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup with its 2-0 win over Nicaragua on Sunday. Cities and venues for the 2013 Gold Cup will be announced on Wednesday.

In some post-training banter on Monday, Crew captain Chad Marshall jokingly asked Tony Tchani to talk in his best American accent.

"Hey mate!" Tchani exclaimed jokingly with his distinct French inflection.

While Tchani's accent sets him appart, the Cameroonian-born midfielder is now an official American citizen. Tchani moved to the U.S. with his mother as a teenager and recently passed his citizenship exam to officially attain a United States passport last week.

Tchani was given studying materials beforehand, but the test to become a U.S. citizen came easy to the 23-year-old midfielder.

"They gave me a book of like 100 practice questions and I was supposed to get six out of 10 right," Tchani said. "I got the first six right and they told me it was over. I got a sheet saying 'Congratulations.' "

Costa Rica solidified its place in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup with a 2-0 win against Nicaragua on Sunday night. Crew striker Jairo Arrieta entered the match as a 66th minute substitute on Sunday after providing the difference-maker in Friday's 1-0 victory over Belize.

With the win, La Sele sits atopGroup A in Copa Centroamericano. The TIcos will complete group play Tuesday night against second-place Guatemala.

Costa Rica kicked off play in the 2013 Copa Centroamericano late Friday night, with Crew striker Jairo Arrieta providing the difference in the host country's 1-0 victory over Belize. Arrieta's 55th minute tally was his first goal for La Sele in five career caps.

The Ticos will resume play in the tournament on Sunday against Nicaragua. Copa Centroamericano runs until January 27 and the top five teams in the seven-team tournament qualify for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. However, Arrieta may not report to Crew training camp at that point as La Sele begins the Hexagonal round of 2014 World Cup Qualifying in Panama on February 6.

The Crew technical staff has arrived in Indianapolis looking to improve its roster in Thursday's 2013 MLS SuperDraft. Technical Director Brian Bliss is pleased with the talent pool he and the rest of the staff observed at the MLS Player Combine in Fort Lauderdale over the last five days.

"Obviously, we were able to see quite a bit [in Fort Lauderdale] over the five days and three games," Bliss said on Wednesday. "A lot of it is confirmation of what we've seen from a good percentage of the players during the college season. It was a good chance to re-confirm what we do and learn a little bit about the guys that we don't know that much about from schools on the West Coast."

While Bliss and the Crew brass are prepared to select ninth overall in the SuperDraft on Thursday, the Crew could still explore making other transactions in Indianapolis to either acquire established MLS talent or move up in the Draft order.

Trade rumors have already begun to swirl as the Chicago Fire has reportedly traded its First Round pick and allocation money to the Colorado Rapids for midfielder Jeff Larentowicz. Other deals will likely be made, and Bliss is still considering all options for the Black & Gold.

"There are some trade possibilities," Bliss explained. "Obviously, we've got a couple players that have drawn some interest from some other teams that could potentially help us move up in the Draft. We can package some things together with players and picks. We have some flexibility."

Former Crew midfielder and United States International Robbie Rogers will not return to English Championship side Leeds United after his loan to Stevenage in England's Third Division expired on Wednesday. Should Rogers decide to return to MLS, the Crew currently hold his rights. The Crew could look to trade those rights ahead of the SuperDraft.

"Everybody knows now that Robbie [Rogers] is available because he's terminated his contract with Leeds," Bliss said. "There are some assets there that we have that are pretty attractive and we could possibly make a deal on Draft day."

The 2013 MLS SuperDraft begins at noon ET on Thursday and will be streamed globally via ESPN3, ESPN FC, MLSsoccer.com and YouTube.

After signing as the fifth Homegrown player in Crew history, University of Akron standout Chad Barson joined TheCrew.com's Cody Sharrett for a short Q&A.

Cody Sharrett:Congratulations on signing with the Crew. How do you plan on contributing to the Black & Gold as a rookie?

Chad Barson: I think I bring a good work ethic. I have a good mentality in the way I approach things. I'm willing to contribute, and I'm a team guy. I put the team first. I'll put the team's needs above my own and whatever they need, that's what I'm willing to do.

CS: You've been captain for the past two seasons at Akron and as a centerback, you have to be a leader on the field. How do you approach being a leader as a rookie?

CB: You have to be yourself. You can't be shy. As a rookie, you're stepping into uncharted territory and just because you're the young guy or the new guy, it doesn't matter how long you've been around. Obviously guys that have been around have more say, but you still need to be able to lead, to talk and to organize guys because the position I play, you see the whole game from where you play.

CS: Your coach at Akron, Caleb Porter, has moved on to the Portland TImbers in MLS. How did he develop your game over the past four years at Akron.

CB: Basically, I like to say everything about my game is a result of Coach Porter. The way we trained at Akron, the mentality he teaches you how to approach life, how to approach school, how to approach soccer: it's really all from him. I see a lot of him in myself. When I talk, when I play, just everything really.

CS: You were born and raised in Columbus. Do you remember your first Crew game? Which players did you look up to?

CB: I don't remember my first Crew game. But watching guys like [Brian] McBride, [Brian] Maisonneuve and Jeff Cunningham, I remember watching those guys all the time when I was younger.

CS:Over the past few summers, you've spent time training with the First Team. Who is the toughest guy you've had to defend?

CB: Honestly size-wise, Andy Iro and Chad Marshall because they're some pretty big guys. I'd also throw Steve Lenhart in there because he's such a scrappy guy and he likes to be physical, but he's also a great guy.

To help prepare for MLS First Kick on March 2 against Chivas USA in Carson, Calif., the Crew will get its first game action of 2013 when it takes on Eastern Conference foes D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls during preseason training in Bradenton, Fla.

The Black & Gold square off against United on Saturday, January 26 at 11:00 a.m. before it takes on the Red Bulls on Friday, February 1 at time that is yet to be determined. The club already had a previously scheduled exhibition against the Chicago Fire on Wednesday, January 30, giving the Black & Gold a trio of friendlies against some of their oldest rivals.

All three games will be held at the IMG Academy in Bradenton. The club's full preseason schedule includes two separate trips to Florida, with stage two taking place at the Disney Pro Classic in Orlando from February 6 through February 24.

The Crew and Crew Soccer Foundation were active this past holiday season, assisting local charities through a variety of efforts. As part of the club’s year-long partnership with Faith Mission, Crew staff donated more than 450 non-perishable food items and needed supplies to assist homeless and at-risk families.

In addition, Crew Brand Ambassador Frankie Hejduk spearheaded an effort to donate and distribute 50 toys to youngsters through the Franklin County Children’s Services’ Holiday Wish program. Frankie and fellow Crew staff also raised nearly $400 for Salvation Army emergency services by serving as bell ringers for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle program.

In partnership with Lifeline of Ohio and the Hispanic Coalition, the Crew completed its Three Kings Toy Drive on January 5, by handing out toys to more than 400 Hispanic families in need. The event was marked by smiles and the spirit of sharing, as kids rejoiced in the festivities that included a live play, the traditional roscas de reyes, and the presence of the Three Kings themselves. Of course the festivities wouldn’t have been complete without the presence of Crew Cat and Honey Bee to help distribute the toys!

In keeping with its mission to assist at-risk youth, the Crew Soccer Foundation contributed to the holiday effort by raising nearly one thousand dollars through its annual holiday auction to support programming and services for children in need.